Penny Avant

Penny L. Avant, 53, passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012 at her home.

Born on November 13, 1958, in Georgetown, she was a daughter of the late Oscar Avant and the late Jessie Thompkins Avant.

Penny was a member of The Christian Fortress.

She was a unique, loving and caring person. She was loved by everyone she came in contact with. Family and friends were special to her.

Penny loved her church and singing was her passion. The stories that she shared through her songs touched many.

Her God was her strength and she loved telling everyone about Him. Penny never spoke to someone that she didn’t leave them with, “May the Lord keep you and give you safe passage.” 

She was truly an incredible person and will be missed by all who knew her.

Survivors include a special friend, Charles Cooper of Macedonia; two daughters, Scarlett Gause (Jason) and Adrienne Blake both of Georgetown; three grandchildren, Vivienne Gause, Simone “Izzy” Gause and Jagger Gause all of Georgetown; two brothers, Harvey Avant (Eulene) and Bob Avant (Patty) all of Georgetown; two sisters, Violet Infinger (Tony) and Sue Garrison (Bobby), all of Georgetown; one sister-in-law, Frances Avant of Georgetown; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Lee Scurry; and two brothers, Jimmy Avant and Odell Avant.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at The Christian Fortress with the Rev. Geraldine Bednego officiating.

Burial will follow in Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at Graham Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to The Christian Fortress, 536 Highway 521 Andrews, SC 29510.

Graham Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements (www.grahamfuneralhome.org).

Ernest Blease

Ernest “Ernie” Carroll Blease, 64, of Georgetown, S.C. went to live in the presence of his Lord Jesus on May 12, 2012.

He waged a war with cancer and was finally called Home after a short stay at Tidelands Community Hospice House in Georgetown.

Ernie was born in Columbia, S.C. on June 3, 1947.

He was the son of the late James Chapman Blease and Marcella Pettine Blease.

He was a graduate of Eau Claire High School.

In 1969 Ernie served his country in the Army Infantry of the Vietnam War.

He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Upon returning home, he lived and worked in Columbia as an accountant and sales professional until 1999, at which time he and his wife relocated to Georgetown, S.C.

Ernie loved his Lord, music of every variety, the Clemson Tigers, animals and all of God's creations.

He considered his most rewarding accomplishment learning to play the violin during his latter years.

He served his Lord by using his music to minister to his friends at Morningside Assisted Living.

Ernie's life will be remembered by his wife Cathi Blease of Georgetown; mother, Marcella Rodgers of Columbia; sister, Gerrie Blake of Columbia; daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Chad Stegenga of Columbia; son and daughter-in-law, James and Renee Blease of Florence; daughter, Alicia Blease of Greenville; step-son, Jeremiah Ellisor of Lexington; eight beautiful grandchildren; and many, many friends, as well as four loyal, devoted pups.

The family received friends at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at the Chapel of Morris Funeral Home in Hemingway, S.C. Funeral services followed at noon. Officiating was Pastor Chris Giles.

Interment followed at The Garden of Devotion Cemetery in Johnsonville, S.C.

The family wishes to thank the Angels at Tidelands Community Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Tidelands Community Hospice, 2591 North Fraser Street, Georgetown, SC 29440.

Please sign the guestbook at www.morris-funeralhome.com.

William “Johnny” Feagin

William “Johnny” Feagin, age 85, of Murrells Inlet, S.C. died Sunday, May 13, 2012 at Waccamaw Community Hospital.

Johnny Feagin was born in Andrews, S.C. to the late James and Suley Feagin. 

He was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran and a member of Belin United Methodist Church.

He retired from the state of SC as an insurance examiner.  

Mr. Feagin was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Dixie Strickland Feagin; his brothers, James, Joseph and Charles Feagin; and his sister, Ella Feagin Gossett.

Mr. Feagin is survived by his son, Scott and wife, Sandra Feagin of Murrells Inlet; a granddaughter, Natalie Feagin; grandson, Matt Feagin; brother Austin Cloyd of Columbia, S.C.; and a sister Lydia Cloyd Claytor of Columbia, S.C.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Belin United Methodist Church. 

Burial will follow the service at Belin United Methodist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Belin United Methodist Church Youth Missions.

An online guestbook is available at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Melvin Fraser

Melvin Francis Fraser, 63, of Georgetown, S.C. died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Agape Rehabilitation of Conway, S.C.

Funeral services for Mr. Fraser will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012 at Arnett AME Church, Georgetown, S.C. 

Burial will follow in Morning Glory Cemetery, Pennyroyal Rd., Georgetown, S.C.

Mr. Fraser was born  February 26, 1949 in Georgetown County to Mr. Benjamin Fraser and Mrs. Flozena Pyatt Fraser. 

He attended Georgetown County public schools and graduated from Howard High School, Georgetown. 

He was a retired Operator in the Rolling Mill of Georgetown Steel Corporation.

He was a member of Greater St. Stephen AME Church.

Survivors include his mother, Flozena Fraser of Georgetown; his wife, Patricia Fraser of Mt. Holly, N.C.; His children, Melvalette Simmons of Myrtle Beach, S.C., Amy Fraser of Mt. Holly, N.C., and Brittany Green; his sons, Kelvin Fraser of Fayetteville, N.C. and Mondale Moultrie; his brothers, James Fraser, Adrian Fraser, Alvin Fraser and Benjamin Fraser, all of Georgetown, and Adolph Fraser of Summerville, S.C.

Viewing will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012 at Wilds Courtyard Chapel.

Funeral service arrangements are entrusted to Wilds Funeral Home, LLC.

Patricia Harrelson

Patricia Gretchen Wood Harrelson, 72, of Georgetown, S.C. died  Saturday, May 12, 2012, at her residence.

Ms. Harrelson was born in Enola, Pa. on March 18, 1940, a daughter of the late Charles Henry Wood and Elizabeth Taylor Marsh Wood. 

She graduated in 1958 from Winyah High School.  Ms. Harrelson was a licensed practical nurse and retired after 22 years of employment with Georgetown Memorial Hospital. 

She loved reading, animals, and spending time with her family and friends.

Surviving are three daughters, Debbie Taylor, Pam Branham (Skippy), and Tracy Ard (Jeff), all of Georgetown; two grandchildren, Chase Downing and Ashley Taylor; and a brother, Charles H. Wood Jr. of The Villages, Fla.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Harrelson was predeceased by a brother, John W. Wood.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, May 14, 2012, at Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel. Fred Ady officiated.

The family received friends at the mausoleum chapel one hour prior to the service, from 1 to 2 p.m. on Monday.

Sign a guestbook at www.mayerfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Tidelands Community Hospice, Inc., 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440.

The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Leonard Inabinette

Leonard Wayne Inabinette, Lt. Col. USAF Retired, age 67, of Murrells Inlet, S.C. died at his home on May 12, 2012.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Murrells Inlet Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2012 with the Reverend Tom Thornton officiating.

To view full obituary please visit www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com/obiuaries.

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Murrells Inlet is in charge of the arrangements.

Hal Martin Jr.

Hal Newell Martin Jr., age 72, of Murrells Inlet, S.C. died Friday, May 11, 2012 at his residence.

Born in Wilmington, N.C., he was a son of the late Annie Lee and Hal N. Martin, Sr.  Mr. Martin was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. 

He enjoyed fishing and crabbing.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Clemmons Martin.

Survivors include his children, Gregory D. Martin, Greta Martin Beaver and Derrian Wayne Martin, all of Murrells Inlet; grandchildren, Nicole Beaver Rodgers of Murrells Inlet, Ashley Ann Beaver of Lexington, N.C., Savanna Dale Martin of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Margaret Kelly Martin of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Keri Denise Love of Rock Tavern, N.Y. and Amanda Marie Martin of Rock Tavern, N.Y.; great-grandchildren, Logan Brant of Surfside Beach, Nathan Rodgers of Fredricksburg, Va., and Nicholas Rodgers of Fredricksburg, Va.; a sister, Mary Martin Smith of Shallotte, N.C. and a niece, Susan Smith of Shallotte, N.C.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to DAV, PO Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250.

An online guestbook is available at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com/obituaries

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Jannie Moultrie

Mrs. Jannie McGee Moultrie, 87, of Andrews, S.C. went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at Georgetown Memorial Hospital, Georgetown, S.C.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2012 at Mt. Lebanon AME Church in Andrews with Rev. Brenda Thornhill, officiating. 

Burial followed in the Church Cemetery under the direction of McKnight-Fraser Funeral Homes.

Friends may sign a Guest Book at www.McKnightfraser funeralhomes.com.

Mrs. Moultrie, daughter of the late Travis McGee Jr. and Mae Bell Aiken McGee, was born May 21, 1924 in Nesmith, S.C.

She was a life member of Mt. Lebanon AME Church where she served on the Holy Ghost Choir and Senior Choir.

Those left to cherish her memories are four daughters, Rosa L. Dukes, Rochester, N.Y., Lily Ann Gallant, Geneva Brown and Teresa M. Greene, all of Andrews, S.C.; three sons, Walter Moultrie Jr., David Moultrie of Rochester, N.Y. and Benjamin Moultrie of Andrews, S.C.; one sister, Laura Craig, Staten Island, N.Y.; four brothers, George McGee, Teaneck, N.J., Cleveland McGee, Greensboro, N.C., Dudley McGee, High Point, N.C.; 21 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Melvin Perry Jr.

Melvin Richard Perry Jr., 60, of Georgetown, S.C., the beloved husband of Ida Raye Perry, departed this life Saturday morning, May 12, 2012, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

He leaves behind his wife; three daughters, Lisa Raye Swann, Michelle Nagel Cohee, and Christy Lynne Perry; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at the Georgetown Chapel of McKenzie Funeral Home.  The Perry family will receive family and friends immediately following the service.

A Committal Service with Military Honors will be on Monday, May 21, 2012, in the Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Hurlock, MD.   

McKenzie Funeral Home is honored to serve the Perry family.  Online condolences may be sent to McKenzieFH.com.

Payden “P.W.” Shaw

Payden William “P.W.” Shaw, 79, of Calestown, S.C., a retired insurance agent for United American Life Insurance Company, died Monday afternoon at his residence.

His funeral will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, May 17, 2012, in the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church.  

Interment will follow in the church cemetery directed by Dial-Murray Funeral Home, Moncks Corner.  

The family will receive friends at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. this Wednesday evening.  

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church, 3336 North Hwy. 17-A, Bonneau, SC 29431.

Mr. Shaw was born June 6, 1932, in Calestown, a son of James Lenarue Shaw and Eliza McMakin Shaw.  

He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and a member of the Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church.  

Mr. Shaw began his insurance career with Public Savings Life and then went to work for Ocean City Life which later became a part of United American Insurance Company.  

He also did maintenance work and was a security guard for a long time at the DeBordieu Colony.

In his spare time, he enjoyed dancing, farming, playing his guitar, and singing in church.  

Mr. Shaw was preceded in death by a sister, Naomi Johnson, and two brothers, Franklin “Bubba” Shaw and James L. Shaw Jr.

Surviving are his wife, Juanita Smith Shaw; three daughters, Yvonne S. Carroll and her husband, Danny, of Georgetown, Wanda S. Shinn and her husband, Steve, of Elmira, N.Y., and Loretta S. Marston and her husband, Ray, of Summerville; two sons, Lenny Shaw and his wife, Wendy, and Randy S. Shaw and his wife, Nancy, all of Georgetown; three step sons, Dean Jordan and his wife, Belinda, of Santee, Tony Jordan and his wife, Debbie, of Georgetown, and Tommy Jordan and his wife, Joyce, of N. Myrtle Beach; four sisters, Ethel Keller of Sumter, Evelyn Statz of Goose Creek, Lyla Kay Rapchick of James Island, S.C. and Ila Mae Sayles of Nashotah, WI ; a half-brother, Hartful Mims of N. Charleston; 18 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.dial-murrayfuneralhome.com.